Malina’s Dream (Tour – Southampton)

Angel Heart Theatre’s Malina’s Dream is an enchanting tale of an Inuit girl (Malina), who lives with Grandpa in the land of the midnight sun. Into her frozen world comes a dream, and in that dream comes a stranger, whose ship is crushed in the ice. When Malina discovers her dream has become real, she knows only she can save the stranger’s life…with just a little help from Grandpa and his magic drum!

This magical story is told through beautifully-crafted puppets, miniatures and shadow puppets, live music and song especially scored for the production, and clever lighting and special effects, which effectively illustrate the icy world the characters inhabit.

As well as an engrossing story and a good helping of mysticism, there are plenty of colourful characters to keep even the smallest audience members spell-bound – the walrus, baby penguin and impressive ice-bear being sure favourites.  A nice touch at the end of the performance is that the children can get up close and meet some of the puppets.

The set is striking and adaptable, and the show contains some nice lighting and snow effects to add to the magic. The two talented performers, James Richardson and Ella Turk-Richards, work all the puppets, sing and create live music, appear on stage all the time but never once draw focus away from the puppets.

Suitable for anyone over the age of 4, this first rate family entertainment is on tour until the end of April 2011, and there are plenty of opportunities to catch it in the south of England.